"Ship It" Release - 119r06

"Ship It" Release - 119r06

Quick Start

The firmware seems to work fairly well. We compile with a number of different compile-time
switches to produce variants of firmware that will likely fit your needs/ situation. We'll now turn
our attention to "packaging" and cleaning up the documentation.

Notable changes

• Software endstops, M211, implemented
• Long file name support for M20 (P1 option);
• Compiled variants of firmware (see Which firmware?)

TODO (in no particular order):

• implement M117, update LCD status command (no good solution, yet);
• add WIFI support (need info on how to set SSID, password, etc.); and
• create a model for bed leveling that incorporates the realities of this particular printer

Please see the wiki for installation instructions -- Wiki Pages

Feedback

Feedback is appreciated.

Status: untested

Almost "feature complete" Release -- bug fixes

Almost "feature complete" Release -- bug fixes - 119r05

no big changes, a few bugs fixed since 119r04:

• Don't show a parent directory folder when viewing the memory card's root directory;
• Reduced the size of the money_cat_fill example -- it was too tall to print; and
• Fixed the CREATE_FCUPDATE.gcode and DELETE_FCUPDATE.gcode commands
  to properly display a completion message.

We're getting there -- a feature complete version of firmware. This release includes a zip archive (mpmd_marlin_1.1.x-uSDCard.zip) with files to make up a micro SD memory card. With the memory card, it is possible to update, calibrate, and operate the printer directly from the LCD display.

This 4th release further improves usuability with a better working UI for cancel, pause, and resume along with a Pushbutton/LED UI for commands not directly supported by the LCD (M0/M1, M600).

M0/M1 (wait for user) and M600 (change filament) use the Pushbutton/LED to move pause/resume process required by these commands. A flashing LED indicates that the printer is waiting for the user to press the pushbutton or enter an M118 (cancel wait) command via the usb port.

Notable changes:

• SD card contents with firmware, commands, and sample models;
• Pause/Resume printing now moves the nozzle off the printed part when paused;
• Cancel printing from the LCD display now homes the nozzle; and
• M0/M1 (wait for user) and M600 (change filament) implemented (untested).

TODO (in no particular order):

• implement M117, update LCD status command (no good solution, yet);
• add WIFI support (need info on how to set SSID, password, etc.); and
• create a model for bed leveling that incorporates the realities of this particular printer

Create/ Use a Micro-SD Card

We can use the machine's boot loader to easily update the firmware with a micro SD card. { A little note, here -- the boot loader is a bit finicky about micro SD cards. I've successfully used the card that came with my Monoprice MP Mini Delta. }:

• unzip the file, mpmd_marlin_1.1.x-uSDCard.zip, and place its contents in the root directory of the micro-SD card

• power up the printer with the card installed
  (the LED should flash white for about 10s, then flash briefly green, and return to solid white)
  programming is complete!

Use the printer's print mode to select the folder, setup_gcode, and then to select the appropriate command file, as directed, below:

• remove the file that signals the boot loader to install firmware

DELETE_FCUPDATE.gcode

• calibrate the machine and bed level parameters

AUTO_CALIBRATE.gcode

• adjust the z offset (machine specific) and save

M851_Zxxx.gcode         ; where "xxx" is the offset (e.g. 450 is 0.450mm)
M500_SAVE.gcode

Printing

Print as you'd normally do on the printer. At the start of each print job, the following gcode should be added: a G28 followed by G28 P0. These two commands will home the print head and calibrate the z height by tapping the build plate at {0,0,0}. The 3d models on the micro-SD card provide a more elaborate startup gcode example. Startup gcode for your slicing program can also be found at aegean-odyssey/mpmd_marlin_1.1.x, but what is here should be sufficient.

G28     ; home
G29 P0  ; auto zero height

Feedback

Feedback is appreciated.

Status: untested

Almost "feature complete" Release

Almost "feature complete" Release - 119r04

We're getting there -- a feature complete version of firmware. This release includes a zip archive (mpmd_marlin_1.1.x-uSDCard.zip) with files to make up a micro SD memory card. With the memory card, it is possible to update, calibrate, and operate the printer directly from the LCD display.

This 4th release further improves usuability with a better working UI for cancel, pause, and resume along with a Pushbutton/LED UI for commands not directly supported by the LCD (M0/M1, M600).

M0/M1 (wait for user) and M600 (change filament) use the Pushbutton/LED to move pause/resume process required by these commands. A flashing LED indicates that the printer is waiting for the user to press the pushbutton or enter an M118 (cancel wait) command via the usb port.

Notable changes:

• SD card contents with firmware, commands, and sample models;
• Pause/Resume printing now moves the nozzle off the printed part when paused;
• Cancel printing from the LCD display now homes the nozzle; and
• M0/M1 (wait for user) and M600 (change filament) implemented (untested).

TODO (in no particular order):

• implement M117, update LCD status command (no good solution, yet);
• add WIFI support (need info on how to set SSID, password, etc.); and
• create a model for bed leveling that incorporates the realities of this particular printer

Create/ Use a Micro-SD Card

We can use the machine's boot loader to easily update the firmware with a micro SD card. { A little note, here -- the boot loader is a bit finicky about micro SD cards. I've successfully used the card that came with my Monoprice MP Mini Delta. }:

• unzip the file, mpmd_marlin_1.1.x-uSDCard.zip, and place its contents in the root directory of the micro-SD card

• power up the printer with the card installed
  (the LED should flash white for about 10s, then flash briefly green, and return to solid white)
  programming is complete!

Use the printer's print mode to select the folder, setup_gcode, and then to select the appropriate command file, as directed, below:

• remove the file that signals the boot loader to install firmware

DELETE_FCUPDATE.gcode

• calibrate the machine and bed level parameters

AUTO_CALIBRATE.gcode

• adjust the z offset (machine specific) and save

M851_Zxxx.gcode         ; where "xxx" is the offset (e.g. 450 is 0.450mm)
M500_SAVE.gcode

Printing

Print as you'd normally do on the printer. At the start of each print job, the following gcode should be added: a G28 followed by G28 P0. These two commands will home the print head and calibrate the z height by tapping the build plate at {0,0,0}. The 3d models on the micro-SD card provide a more elaborate startup gcode example. Startup gcode for your slicing program can also be found at aegean-odyssey/mpmd_marlin_1.1.x, but what is here should be sufficient.

G28     ; home
G29 P0  ; auto zero height

Feedback

Feedback is appreciated.

Status: untested

Pretty Good Release

Pretty Good Release! - 119r03

Here's a mostly working, seemingly stable release. Calibration, bed leveling, printing from the SD card seem to work fairly reliably. Notable changes:

• printing from the USB port seems to work now, no longer causing the machine to fault -- I'm still testing, though;

• fixed G29 P0 G-code that would run out-of-sequence depending on the conditions of the command buffer, now executes when it's suppose to;

Things to work on (in no particular order):

• improve printing speed to closer match time estimates of slicing program;

• implement a UI for the M600 (change filament) code;

• implement a UI for the M1/M0 (wait for input) code;

• create a model for bed leveling that incorporates the realities of this particular printer;

Install the firmware

We can use the machine's boot loader to easily update the firmware with a micro SD card. { A little note, here -- the boot loader is a bit finicky about micro SD cards. I've successfully used the card that came with my Monoprice MP Mini Delta. }:

• choose a bin file to install (-05ALimit.bin for 60watt power adapters)
• copy to the micro SD card (root directory), and rename the file as "firmware.bin"
• also on the micro SD card (root directory), create a file named "fcupdate.flg"
• power up the printer with the card installed
  (the LED should flash white for about 10s, then flash briefly green, and return to solid white)
  programming is complete!
• delete the files, fcupdate.flg and firmware.bin, from the card

Calibrate the printer

From a computer attached via the USB port, the following G/M-codes can be used to calibrate the printer and set the bed leveling. The M500 command saves the settings to EEPROM (actually FLASH) memory.

G28         ; home
G33         ; calibrate the printer
M851 Z0     ; set the probe offset to zero
G28         ; home (for new offset)
G29         ; create a bed level mesh
M851 Z0.45  ; set the probe offset (yours may vary)
M500        ; save 

Print

Print as you'd normally do on the printer. At the start of each print job, the following gcode should be added: a G28 followed by G28 P0. These two commands will home the print head and calibrate the z height by tapping the build plate at {0,0,0}. More elaborate startup gcode for your slicing program can be found in the README.md, but what is here should be sufficient.

G28     ; home
G29 P0  ; auto zero height

Feedback

Feedback is appreciated.

Status: untested

Usable Release

A Usable Release ! - 119r02

Here's a mostly working, seemingly stable release. Calibration, bed leveling, printing from the SD card seem to work fairly reliably. What is most notably NOT WORKING is printing from the USB port.

Install the firmware

We can use the machine's boot loader to easily update the firmware with a micro SD card. { A little note, here -- the boot loader is a bit finicky about micro SD cards. I've successfully used the card that came with my Monoprice MP Mini Delta. }:

• choose a bin file to install (-05ALimit.bin for 60watt power adapters)
• copy to the micro SD card (root directory), and rename the file as "firmware.bin"
• also on the micro SD card (root directory), create a file named "fcupdate.flg"
• power up the printer with the card installed
  (the LED should flash white for about 10s, then flash briefly green, and return to solid white)
  programming is complete!
• delete the files, fcupdate.flg and firmware.bin, from the card

Calibrate the printer

From a computer attached via the USB port, the following G/M-codes can be used to calibrate the printer and set the bed leveling. The M500 command saves the settings to EEPROM (actually FLASH) memory.

G28         ; home
G33         ; calibrate the printer
M851 Z0     ; set the probe offset to zero
G28         ; home (for new offset)
G29         ; create a bed level mesh
M851 Z0.45  ; set the probe offset (yours may vary)
M500        ; save 

Print

Print as you'd normally do on the printer. At the start of each print job, the following gcode should be added: a G28 followed by G28 P0. These two commands will home the print head and calibrate the z height by tapping the build plate at {0,0,0}. More elaborate startup gcode for your slicing program can be found in the README.md, but what is here should be sufficient.

G28     ; home
G29 P0  ; auto zero height

Feedback

Feedback is appreciated.

Status: untested

1st Travis CI Build

This 119r01 (i.e., release 01) is the first build produced via Travis CI. As far as I can tell, my local build system should produce the same result as the Travis CI build system -- this is not the case, however, and bears further investigation. At this point the firmware is highly experimental. As always, use at your own risk.

Status: untested

1st Build

This 119r00 (i.e., release 00) is the first build that has a reasonable chance of working. At this point the firmware is highly experimental. As always, use at your own risk.

Status: untested